Abstract: A stacked integrated circuit (IC) device and a method are disclosed. The stacked IC device includes a first semiconductor element and a second semiconductor element bonded on the first semiconductor element. The first semiconductor element includes a first substrate, a common conductive feature in the first substrate, a first inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer, a first interconnection feature and a conductive plug connecting the first interconnection feature to the common conductive feature. The second semiconductor element includes a second substrate, a second ILD layers over the second substrate and a second interconnection feature in second ILD layers. The device also includes a conductive deep plug connecting to the common conductive feature in the first semiconductor element and the second interconnection feature. The conductive deep plug is separated with the conductive plug by the first ILD layer.

Abstract: A method includes bonding a first wafer to a second wafer, with a first plurality of dielectric layers in the first wafer and a second plurality of dielectric layers in the second wafer bonded between a first substrate of the first wafer and a second substrate in the second wafer. A first opening is formed in the first substrate, and the first plurality of dielectric layers and the second wafer are etched through the first opening to form a second opening. A metal pad in the second plurality of dielectric layers is exposed to the second opening. A conductive plug is formed extending into the first and the second openings.

Abstract: The image sensing device includes a semiconductor substrate, an interconnection layer, a radiation-sensing region and an isolation structure. The semiconductor substrate has a front surface and a back surface. The interconnection layer is disposed over the front surface of the semiconductor substrate. The radiation-sensing region is disposed in the semiconductor substrate. The isolation structure is disposed on the back surface of the semiconductor substrate. The isolation structure includes a trench and an etch stop layer. The trench extends from the back surface of the semiconductor substrate. The etch stop layer is disposed along the trench. An etch selectivity of a silicon oxide film to the etch stop layer is greater than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor substrate, a gate dielectric over the semiconductor substrate, and a gate electrode over the gate dielectric. The gate electrode has a first portion having a first thickness, and a second portion having a second thickness smaller than the first thickness. The device further includes a source/drain region on a side of the gate electrode with the source/drain region extending into the semiconductor substrate, and a device isolation region. The device isolation region has a part having a sidewall contacting a second sidewall of the source/drain region to form an interface. The interface is overlapped by a joining line of the firs portion and the second portion of the gate electrode.

Abstract: An image sensor structure that includes a first semiconductor substrate having a plurality of imaging sensors; a first interconnect structure formed on the first semiconductor substrate; a second semiconductor substrate having a logic circuit; a second interconnect structure formed on the second semiconductor substrate, wherein the first and the second semiconductor substrates are bonded together in a configuration that the first and second interconnect structures are sandwiched between the first and second semiconductor substrates; and a backside deep contact (BDCT) feature extended from the first interconnect structure to the second interconnect structure, thereby electrically coupling the logic circuit to the image sensors.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a CMOS image sensor having a multiple deep trench isolation (MDTI) structure, and an associated method of formation. In some embodiments, a plurality of pixel regions is disposed within a substrate and respectively comprising a photodiode. The photodiode comprises a doped layer with a first doping type and an adjoining region of the substrate with a second doping type that is different than the first doping type. A boundary deep trench isolation (BDTI) structure is disposed between adjacent pixel regions. A multiple deep trench isolation (MDTI) structure overlies the doped layer of the photodiode. The MDTI structure comprises a stack of dielectric layers lining sidewalls of a MDTI trench. A plurality of color filters is disposed at the back-side of the substrate corresponding to the respective photodiode of the plurality of pixel regions and overlying the MDTI structure.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards image sensors including composite backside illuminated (CBSI) structures to enhance performance. In some embodiments, a first trench isolation structure extends into a backside of a substrate to a first depth and comprises a pair of first trench isolation segments. A photodetector is in the substrate, between and bordering the first trench isolation segments. A second trench isolation structure is between the first trench isolation segments and extends into the backside of the substrate to a second depth less than the first depth. The second trench isolation structure comprises a pair of second trench isolation segments. An absorption enhancement structure overlies the photodetector, between the second trench isolation segments, and is recessed into the backside of the semiconductor substrate. The absorption enhancement structure and the second trench isolation structure collectively define a CBSI structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a CMOS image sensor having a multiple deep trench isolation (MDTI) structure, and an associated method of formation. In some embodiments, a plurality of photodiodes is formed from a front-side of a substrate. A plurality of boundary deep trench isolation (BDTI) trenches having a first depth and a plurality of multiple deep trench isolation (MDTI) trenches having a second depth are formed from a back-side of the substrate. A stack of dielectric layers is formed in the BDTI trenches and the MDTI trenches. A plurality of color filters is formed overlying the stack of dielectric layers corresponding to the plurality of photodiodes.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a substrate and a first interconnect wire arranged within a dielectric structure on the substrate. A bond pad contacts the first interconnect wire. A via support structure has one or more vias arranged within the dielectric structure at a location separated from the substrate by the first interconnect wire, The via support structure has a metal pattern density that is greater than or equal to approximately 19% and that is configured to mitigate damage caused by a force of a bonding process on the bond pad.

Abstract: An image sensor structure that includes a first semiconductor substrate having a plurality of imaging sensors; a first interconnect structure formed on the first semiconductor substrate; a second semiconductor substrate having a logic circuit; a second interconnect structure formed on the second semiconductor substrate, wherein the first and the second semiconductor substrates are bonded together in a configuration that the first and second interconnect structures are sandwiched between the first and second semiconductor substrates; and a backside deep contact (BDCT) feature extended from the first interconnect structure to the second interconnect structure, thereby electrically coupling the logic circuit to the image sensors.

Abstract: A stacked integrated circuit (IC) device and a method are disclosed. The stacked IC device includes a first semiconductor element and a second semiconductor element bonded on the first semiconductor element. The first semiconductor element includes a first substrate, a common conductive feature in the first substrate, a first inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer, a first interconnection feature and a conductive plug connecting the first interconnection feature to the common conductive feature. The second semiconductor element includes a second substrate, a second ILD layers over the second substrate and a second interconnection feature in second ILD layers. The device also includes a conductive deep plug connecting to the common conductive feature in the first semiconductor element and the second interconnection feature. The conductive deep plug is separated with the conductive plug by the first ILD layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided, in some embodiments. The semiconductor device structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a first surface, a second surface, and sidewalls defining a recess that passes through the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device structure further includes an interconnect structure having one or more interconnect layers within a first dielectric structure that is disposed along the second surface. A conductive bonding structure is disposed within the recess and includes nickel. The conductive bonding structure has opposing outermost sidewalls that contact sidewalls of the interconnect structure.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a method. In the method, a CMOS substrate, which includes a plurality of CMOS devices, is received. An interconnect structure including a plurality of metal layers is formed over the CMOS substrate, wherein a first metal layer of the metal layers is nearest the CMOS substrate and an Nth of the metal layers is furthest from the CMOS substrate. An image sensor substrate is bonded to the interconnect structure. A first mask is formed over the image sensor substrate, and a first etch is performed with the first mask in place to expose an upper surface of the first metal layer. A conductive bond pad material is formed in direct contact with the exposed first metal layer.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of forming semiconductor devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a first trench and a second trench are formed in a substrate, and dopants of a first conductivity type are implanted along sidewalls and a bottom of the first trench and the second trench. The first and second trenches are filled with an insulating material, and a gate dielectric and a gate electrode over the substrate, the gate dielectric and the gate electrode extending over the first trench and the second trench. Source/drain regions are formed in the substrate on opposing sides of the gate dielectric and the gate electrode.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices, methods of manufacturing thereof, and image sensor devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor chip comprising an array region, a periphery region, and a through-via disposed therein. The semiconductor device comprises a guard structure disposed in the semiconductor chip between the array region and the through-via or between the through-via and a portion of the periphery region.

Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor substrate, and a Device Isolation (DI) region extending from a top surface of the semiconductor substrate into the semiconductor substrate. A gate dielectric is disposed over an active region of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the gate dielectric extends over the DI region. A gate electrode is disposed over the gate dielectric, wherein a notch of the gate electrode overlaps a portion of the DI region.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a pixel sensor is provided. The pixel sensor includes a first photodetector arranged in a semiconductor substrate. A second photodetector is arranged in the semiconductor substrate, where a first substantially straight line axis intersects a center point of the first photodetector and a center point of the second photodetector. A floating diffusion node is arranged in the semiconductor substrate at a point that is a substantially equal distance from the first photodetector and the second photodetector. A pick-up well contact region is arranged in the semiconductor substrate, where a second substantially straight line axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first substantially straight line axis intersects a center point of the floating diffusion node and a center point of the pick-up well contact region.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include an image sensor device and methods of forming the same. An embodiment is an image sensor device including a first plurality of pickup regions in a photosensor array area of a substrate, each of first plurality of pickup regions having a first width and a first length, a second plurality of pickup regions in a periphery area of the substrate, the periphery area along at least one side of the photosensor array area, each of second plurality of pickup regions having a second width and a second length.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a first surface, a second surface opposing the first surface, and sidewalls defining a recess that passes through the semiconductor substrate. A first interconnect layer is within a first dielectric structure disposed along the second surface, and a bonding pad is in the recess and extends to the first interconnect layer. A dielectric filling layer is also within the recess. The dielectric filling layer has an opening over a portion of the bonding pad and a curved upper surface over the bonding pad. A nickel layer is over the bonding pad and in the opening.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a CMOS image sensor having a multiple deep trench isolation (MDTI) structure, and an associated method of formation. In some embodiments, a plurality of pixel regions is disposed within a substrate and respectively comprising a photodiode. A boundary deep trench isolation (BDTI) structure is disposed between adjacent pixel regions, extending from a back-side of the substrate to a first depth within the substrate, and surrounding the photodiode. A multiple deep trench isolation (MDTI) structure is disposed within the individual pixel region, extending from the back-side of the substrate to a second depth within the substrate, and overlying the photodiode. A dielectric layer fills in a BDTI trench of the BDTI structure and a MDTI trench of the MDTI structure.